Perilous journeys
Vulnerabilities along migratory routes to the EU Acknowledgements
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2 Cover photo: Contents A group of migrants walk on the last leg Editorial – Protect humanity: Stop indifference - Francesco Rocca, of their crossing President of the Italian Red Cross and Vice President of the International from Greece to FYR Macedonia, 2015. Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) 4 © Stephen Ryan / IFRC Introduction – Migrants’ journeys to the European Union 7
Chapter 1 Limited access to rights and services 11 Assistance and protection in Agadez 11 Rights of Migrants in Action in Morocco 11 Chapter 2 Arbitrary arrests and detention 15 Visiting immigration detention centres 17 Torture-related trauma and detention 17 Chapter 3 Violence and human trafficking 19 Raising awareness of human trafficking 21 Women and children at risk 22 Chapter 4 Family separation and the loss of family links 23 Supporting the families of Senegalese migrants 25 Unfortunately, a rather typical story 26 A happy ending 27 Chapter 5 Deaths during the journey 28 Providing life-saving assistance 30 The story of Selam: a long and painful trip 31 Conclusion – Francois Crépeau, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of migrants 32 Sources and further information 34
Perilous journeys - Vulnerabilities along migratory routes to the EU 3 Protect humanity: Stop indifference Francesco Rocca, President of the Italian Red Cross and IFRC Vice President
The Tunis Partnership Meeting1 has given us the opportunity to identify ways not just to do more, but also to secure support and consensus in response to the increasing needs of the most vulnerable – we have a duty to them to renew our action. For while governments, institutions and civil society recognise our essential role in providing frontline assistance to migrants on a daily basis, we ourselves must do what is expected of us and reach further.
Recently, as increasing numbers of migrants cross the Mediterranean Sea and make their way through the Western Balkans, we have seen the strength of the Red Cross Red Crescent humanitarian response. Sadly, this is not enough. It is our immediate response, but we now call for a wider global editorial strategy that includes the international community. What we
The global “Protect are now seeing in Eastern Europe and on the Balkan routes Humanity – Stop is something we predicted and have been shouting about for indifference” campaign some time. We knew that this moment would arrive. We have is a collective call for the protection of been providing humanitarian support and relief for many vulnerable migrants to be years, and our current experience should make us realise the recognised as a universal need not only to get the attention of our governments, but responsibility. also to press them for answers. Our Movement is on the front © IFRC line, where it is well placed to be on the lookout for future struggles.
The world looks to current tragedies with stupor, and is astonished and touched by them. As humanitarian actors, we need to come forward and strengthen our advocacy efforts so as to put humanity and human dignity at the core of all migration policies.
The impact of baby Aylan’s picture, which exposed the tragedy of these perilous journeys, should not be the only way to trigger a reaction from our governments. Europe cannot wait until such tragedies occur to open its eyes, whilst at the same time continuing to build walls in an attempt to ignore the issue and avoid its duty.
1 IFRC, Tunis Commitment to our shared humanity. Responding to the needs of migrants and building their resilience: a pressing humanitarian imperative, October 2015.
4 In recent years, we at the Italian Red Cross have seen many children like Aylan. The point is not that we are used to these images, but that if governments do not change their approach, Aylan will not be the last baby to die. As a humanitarian community we need to speak as one on behalf of the vulnerable.
We need to call for more concrete and effective action to respond to their needs and to avoid further tragedies. Advocacy also implies a need to remind governments of their responsibilities. Everyone must be treated in a humane and respectful way; every human being must be recognised as a holder of rights.
With this in mind, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has developed the global “Protect Humanity” campaign. Its message is a strong one: every migrant is first and foremost a human being and must be protected. The aim is to raise awareness of the need to stop indifference, and of the fact that protecting people on the move is a collective responsibility. In addition, the Response Plan2 to meet the humanitarian needs of vulnerable migrants, put together by the Federation with the support of National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), is an important initiative that benefits from all the necessary resources to strengthen our voice.
We understand that several programmes are needed to ensure that moving from one country to another does not expose people to mortal danger; that the current situation does indeed require work on the drivers of migration, such as conflict, violence, drought, famine, or lack of opportunities. We are also well aware that no country can address these challenges alone.
At the same time, the imperative must be to implement actions to address risks such as human trafficking, violence, or the detention of those who have crossed the border in an irregular way. We must address the risks that arise along migratory routes in particular. The reality is that there are limited opportunities for safe and legal migration. This is what forces migrants to undertake dangerous journeys, often using the services of smugglers who deprive them of their dignity and rights, and criminalising them in the eyes of both the public and the authorities.
This frequently results in increasing discrimination. Discrimination is often directly related to the instability, economic challenges and lack of future opportunities that are affecting our societies. Programmes that promote and spread a culture of peace and non-violence should also be at the top of the humanitarian agenda. Based on Humanitarian Principles, Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers are the foundation of real action within communities.
2 IFRC, A response plan to meet the humanitarian needs of vulnerable migrants, a Movement coordinated approach focusing on the Mediterranean and neighbouring regions, 18 September 2015; IFRC appeals for enhanced support and partnerships to respond to the needs of migrants at any stage of their journey, 19 September 2015.
Perilous journeys - Vulnerabilities along migratory routes to the EU 5 This is indeed the first level that needs to be addresse